The Argentine Chamber of Deputies, by an overwhelming majority, adopted a bill designed to control Internet gambling addiction, which completely prohibits all forms of gambling advertising. The proposal has now been transferred to the Senate for consideration and possible voting, and is expected to be one of the country ‘ s most important social responsibility initiatives in recent years. This bill, promoted by the Argentine Radical Party, stems from deep concern about the growing “normalization” and “publicization” of online games, with particular attention to their negative impact on adolescents and vulnerable groups.
In social media, Congressman Maximiliano Ferraro called on senators to resist “love pressure” and push the bill forward. He stressed: “The addiction to gambling is an attack on life. The Prevention of Gambling Addiction Act must not be allowed to die in the womb!” and calls for immediate action to address this already out of control social health crisis. Deputy Mónica Frade strongly criticized the current President Javier Milei for turning a blind eye to the issue. She pointed out that “the current administration is not willing to provoke this `recreational’ form of money-laundering, nor to prevent thousands of Argentines from falling into debt as a result of gambling, which is motivated by public figures who act as cyber-advocacy”. The bill, which was adopted by 140 votes to 36, with 59 abstentions, in the House of Representatives in November 2024, has now been transferred to the Senate and assigned to the Health Commission, the General Legislative Council and the Judicial and Criminal Affairs Commission. Although the health committee, headed by Senator Lucía Corpacci, has initiated the review process, no substantive progress has been made in the discussions.
Article 8 of the Bill, which is the most crucial, clearly states: “The promotion and sponsorship of gambling, bets and prognosis games in any form, including online platforms, as well as the promotion of new prizes and jobnets are prohibited.” The introduction of the bill will make a major difference to the advertising ecology of Argentina. In recent years, sports sponsorship and social media spokespersons have become central drivers of the rapid expansion of the gaming platform. The new Act aims to sever the link between gambling and the culture of entertainment, which critics point out has blurred the line between leisure play and addiction. Under the framework of the proposal, advertising is permitted only in licensed places, such as casinos, bingo halls, horse races and legal lottery outlets. Any operation or management of an unauthorized gambling system is punishable by three to eight years ‘ imprisonment.
Proponents maintain that such measures are essential to protect citizens, especially minors and economically vulnerable groups, from the psychological trauma and financial collapse of gambling. Internet gambling has expanded rapidly in Argentina in recent years, a trend that has also engulfed the entire Latin American region. Dozens of gaming platforms have significantly increased their exposure through celebrity advocacy, sports sponsorship and social media marketing. Despite the new jobs and tax revenues generated by the industry, the legislator warned that its brutal growth had outpaced the development of regulation and public awareness. The ARP proposal is also part of a broader policy shift in the Latin American region. Governments are working to find a balance between economic interests and public health. The debate in neighbouring countries, Brazil and Chile, on the restriction of lottery advertising had recently begun, also because of concerns about addiction, financial instability and the participation of minors. For many advocates, the Argentine bill is a key test: whether the State is willing to put social well-being above corporate influence. Once the bill is adopted, it will not only be a milestone in Argentina’s policy of responsible gambling, but it is more likely to set an example for Latin America as a whole — a clear signal that entertainment must not be at the expense of human life.